Today is the day we have all been waiting for, when our team runs onto the pitch at the magnificent showcase of soccer in Soweto. We have listened to the countdown from 1000 days ago, we have worn our yellow jerseys on ‘Football Fridays’, we have watched with trepidation as construction crews ripped apart our road system and dug great gouges in the earth, we have cheered in the streets as our boys have driven past, we have been whisked to the airport on the mighty Gautrain and now we smile with pride as we drive through the sleepy early morning streets with our beautiful flag flapping from our car. Today is the day.

Today is not just the day our national team plays the opening game against Mexico, its the day where we can look back on all that has been achieved, we can hold our heads high as the world looks on, impressed. We can believe in our future, we can revel in the unity of our nation. Once again, we can dream of a wonderful future for our land.

Good luck Bafana Bafana, good luck. Ke nako